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lrrdiarr Jonriral ofAg ricuI tnra1 Scierlces 76(8) :465-8, August 2006

Effect of biofertilizer and nitrogen on wh eal (Triticum aestivuvrr) and their after

effects on succeed ing maize (Zea mays) in wheat-maize cropping system

VIRENDRA KUM ARi and I P S AHLAWAT2

Irm'inn Agricultural Research Institute, New Dellri 1 0 012

Received : 14 May 2004

ABSTRACT

A study was conducted during 1997-98 and 1998-99 to evaluate the efficacy of 2 biofertilizers (Rhizobacteria andAzotobacter) and N in wheat (Tritictrm aesfivilnl L. emend. Fiori& Paol.) and their after effects on succeed ing maize (Zea

nlays L.) in wheat-maize cropping sequence at New Delhi, on a sandy loam soil analyzing low in total N and medium inavailable P and K. Both the biofertilizers being on par caused significant improvement in growth, yield and yield attributesand N uptake in wheat as compared to control. However, no carry over effect of these biofertilizers was observed in the

following maize crop.Nitrogen application markedly increased growth and yield attributes, grain (4.30 tonneslha) andstraw (6.40 tonneslha) yields, N uptake (101.10 kglha), net retums (Rs 15 535) and B: C ratio (1.45) in wheat up to 60 kg/ha only. Application of 120 kg N ha applied to wheat significan tly increased the grain yield (3.98 tonnesfha) and N uptake(1 12 kgiha) in succeed ing maize over no N. Direct applied N to maize significantly increased the grain yield (4.55 to mes /ha) and N uptake (1 3 1.80 kgha ) in maize up to I20 kglha. Over the seasons, the grain yield of maize with 6 0 kg Nihaincreased by 34.73 %ove r no nitrogen. The corresponding increase i n yield with 120 kg N/haove r 60 kgN ha was 13.78%. Both the biofertilizers, being on par, recorded higher N uptake and net retums over no biofertilizer in wheat-maizecropping system. The uptake of N and net retums in this cropping system increased with increasing levels of residual anddirect applied N to maize up to 120 kg Niha.

Key words: Wheat-maize cropping system, Triticum aestivum, Zea mays, Biofertilizers, Nitrogen

The high yielding dwarf and semi-dwarf varieties ofcereals exhibited their yield potential only when applied

with ade quate quantity of plant nutrients, particularly nitrogen.

Due to hiking fertilizer costs coupled with their limited

production, it has become essential to evolve low cost input

management practices for sustainable crop production (Ghosh

2000). The integrated nutrient management is one of the

most important com ponents of the production technology to

sustain soil fertility and crop productivity in the future. The

role of biofertilizers in wheat (Triticunz aestivum L. emend.

Fiori & Paol.) and other crops have been established by

several workers (Tom ar et al. 1998). Therefore, the present

investigation was undertaken to evaluate the impact of

biofertilizers and nitrogen in N nutrition of wheat and their

effects on succeeding m aize (Zea ntays L.) in wheat-maize

cropping system.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A field experiment was conducted at New Delhl during

The article IS based on the complete information of Ph D thesis,submitted to the IARI, New Delhi, during 2003.

' Technical Assistant and ' Head, Division of Agronomy

winter and monsoorl seasons of 1997-99 o n a sandy loamsoil analyzing low in organic carbon (0.40%) and total N

(0.048%), and medium in available P (12.8 kgiha) and K

(170.4 kgiha) with pH 7.3. The experinlent was laid out in

randomized block design with com binations of 3 biofertilizers

(no biofertilizer, Rhizobacteria an d Azotobncter) an d 3 levels

of N (0, 60 and 120 kgiha) in main plots of wheat in winter

season. Each main plot was hr th er divided into 3 sub plots

in a split plot design with 3 replications representing 3

fertility levels (0, 60 and 120 kg Niha) applied to the

succeeding maize in monsoon season. The wheat crop was

sown 17 December in 1997 and 2 Dec ember in 1998 in rows

20 cm apart using a seed rate of 125 kg/ha. H alf dose of N

as per treatments and the e ntire P,0, (60 kg/ha) and K,O (40

kgiha) were applied at sowing. he remaining half of N wa s

applied after first irrigation. Maize w as sown on 2 9 June in

1998 and 5 July in 1999 in rows 65 cm apart with a seed rate

of 15 kgiha. The N was applied in 2 splits at sowing and knee

high stage. The entire dose of P and K was applied at sowing.

The N, P and K were supplied through urea, single super

phosphate and muriate of potash, respectively. The crops

were raised with recon men ded package of practices except

the inputs applied as treatments.

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166 K U M A R .ANDAHLAWAT [Iildi(~izoz/r17~11f A g r i c ~ ~ l t ~ ~ r o lciences 76 (8)

Table 1 Effect of biofcrtilizers and nitrogen on growth and yield attributes of wheal

Treatment Plant height Leaf area index Dry matter Tillers plant Spike length Spikelets lspikeat 80 days (g:plant) (cm)- cm)

19')7--()8 1 ')c)S-')9 1997-98 ] 908-99 1907-98 1998-90 1997-98 1998-99 1997-98 1998-99 1997-98 1998-99

Biqfi~rti1i:o

No biofertiiizer 57.5 5 2 2 1 2.80 5.41 5.83 1.83 1.93 8.31 8.69 13.98 14.24

R l ~ i z ~ b ~ t c t ~ ~ ~ i i z3.2 66.9 2.51 3.33 6.42 7.14 2.10 2.22 8.75 9.11 14.20 14.50

:lzotoharter. 61.1 61.8 2;47 3.23 6.18 6.83 2.00 2.09 8.70 8.97 14.09 14.29

C D (P=0.05) 3.8 4.5 0.20 0.24 0.17 0.53 0.13 0.13 NS NS NS NS

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Effect o f hiofertilizers on ~c~l tca t

Both the biofertilizers (Rhizobactericl an d Azotobacter)

being on par significantly increased the growth attributes

(plant height, leaf area index, tillers1 plant and dry matter

accumulation) over no inoculation (Table 1) . However,

Rhizobacteria resulted in significantly higher number of

tillerslplant over Azotobacter inoculation in 1998-99.

Biofertilizer inoculation failed to influence the spike length

and spikeletst spike but caused significant increase in grain

and straw yields of whe at over uninoculated control. Betweenthe 2 biofertilizers, Rhhobacteria though recorded the highest

mean grain yield of 4.18 tonnes/ha, but was on par with

Azotobacter (4.11 tonnesiha). Su ch an increase in grain and

straw yields could be attributed to increase in growth and

yield attributing characters resulting from higher fixation of

atmospheric ni trogen and production of plant growth

hormones. Barik and Goswami (2003) reported that the

Azotohacter supplemented 2 5% recommended dose of N (2 5

kg/ha) in wheat.

Effect ofnitrogell on wheat

Nitrogen application up to 60 kglha only significantly

increased all the growth (plant heig ht, leaf area index, tillerst

plant and dry matterlplant), yield a nd yield param eters (spike

length) over control (Table 1,2). Application of N did not

affect the spikeletsl spike. Over the seasons, 60 an d 12 0 kg

N/ha increased the grain yield by 27.80 an d 33.8 3% over no

nitrogen respectively. The increase in grain yield could be

assigned to increase in yield attributes, whe re as better plant

growth with N contributed to higher straw yield. Singh and

Agarwal (2005) also observed similar increases in grain

yield of wheat with N application.

Table 2 Effect of biofertilizers and nitrogen on growth and yields, N uptake and ec6nomics of fertilization i n wheat

Treatment Grain yield Straw yield N uptake Net returns Benefit:

(tonnesha) (tonnesha) (kglha) (Rsiha) Cost ratio

1997-98 1998-99 1997-98 1998-99 1997-98 1998-99 1997-98 199 8-99 1997-98 1998-99Biqfirtilizer

No biofertilizer 3.72 4.04 5.57

Rlzizobacteriu 4.02 4.34 6.05

Azotobacter 3.94 4.28 5.94

CD (P=0.05 ) 0.22 0.24 , 0.36

N (kg/iiu)

0 3.23 3.50 5.22

60 4.13 4.47 6.11

120 4.33 4.68 6.23

CD h0 .0 5) 0.22 0.24 0.36

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August 20061 BIOFERTILIZERS AND N EN WHEAT - MAIZE SEQUENCE 467

Biofertilizers an dN aused significant increa se in uptake

of N in wheat (Table 2) . Both Rhizobact~.l.ia nd A z o t o b a c t ~ ~ ,

being on par, recorded significantly higher N uptake than

contro l (uninoculated). There w as a significant increase in N

uptake up to 60 kg N/ha over control. The increase in Nuptake by biofertilizers and N application could be attributed

to an increa se in dry matter as well as higherN oncentrationin plant. Th e results are in conformity with those of Nair and

Gupta (1999). The e con on~ ic nalysis revealed that both the

biofertilizers recorded sim ilar net returns and B:C ratio, but

markedly high er than uninoculated control (Table 2). Similarly

the net returns and B:C ratio increased significantly up to 60

kg N(ha only.

EJecf ofr esi du al fer-tllity of2 maize

Residual effect of biofertilizers failed to exhibit any

effect on grain yield of maize. However, N applied to

preceding wheat @ 120 kgha significantly increased the

grain yield of succeeding maize over no N in preceding

wheat (Table 3) .The differences between 60 and 12 0 kg/haresidual N were not significant. The increase in yield of

maize was the consequence of residual fertility left behind

by the preceding crop of wheat. Similar residual effect of N

in maize in maize-wheat system were also observed by

Tiwari et rtl. (2004).

Residual N of wheat applied @ 120 kglha significantly

increased N uptake in maize over no N. The difference

between 120 and 60 kg Nh a and 60 kg Nlha and no N were,

however not significant except in 1999 where 120 kg Nh a

had higher N uptake over 60 kg Niha.

<flc?ctqf direct applied N 012 ~t~ni; . e

Nitrogen directly applied to maize showed marked

improvement in grain yield of maize. Each increase in N

level up to 12 0 &/ha caused significan t increase in grain

yield of maize. The mean grain yield increased by 34.7%

with 60 kg Niha over no N. Application of 120 k g N ~ h a

resulted in 13.78% inc rease in yield over 60 kg N!ha (Ta ble

3).Thismight be ow ing to easy and greater availability of N

in fertilized plots. The cumula tive beneficial effect of growth

and yield attributes was finally reflected in grain yield of

maize. These findings are in agreement with those o f Parmar

and Shanna (2001 ).

There was a rnarked incre ase in N uptake in maize with

increasing levels of N up to 120 kglha. The highest m ean N

uptake of 131.18 k g h a was recorded with 120 kg Nka . The

increased dry matter yield along with higher N content in

plant due to easy availability of N in fertilized plots was the

reason for greater uptake of N in maize.

N ~cptrzke nd economics of lrheat-maize c~oppiiig ystemRhizobrrcteria an d Asotobncter in wheat being on par

recorded higher N uptake and net returns in the cropping

system (Table 3). Application of 120 kg Niha in wheat

recorded higher N uptake and net returns in this cropping

system than no N and 60 kg Nlha. The cropping system

recorded increased N uptake and net returns as the direct

application of N in maize increased up to 120 kg/ha. The

greater uptake of N in the system d ue to biofertilizers applied

in wheat could be attributed to its higher uptake in wheat

crop. However, in case of N app lied to wheat, the N uptake

Table 3 Grain yield and N-uptake by maize, total N-uptake by wheat-maize system and net retum s from wheat-maize cropping system

as influenced by diffcrent treatments

Treatment Grain N N-uptake in wheat-maize Net returns in wheat-yield uptake cropping system maize cropping system

(tonneslha) (kg/hai (kgjha) (Rsha)

1998 1999 1998 1999 1998 1999 1998 1999

Biofertilizer

No biofertilizer 3.68 3.90 101.2 109.1 184.1 200.0 20 028 23 348

Rkizobacteria 3.76 4.01 104.1 113.0 197.5 215 .8 21 812 ' 25 413

Azotobacter 3.73 3.95 103.3 11.2 ' 94.4 213.2 21264 24771

CD ( F0 .05) NS N S NS NS 8.9 11.3 1 103 1310

N (kg/lza) o wheat

0 3.59 3.83 98.4 105.9 168.4 182.9 17255 20185

60 3.73 3.92 103.0 110.2 199.0 21 6.4 22 359 25 854

120 3.86 4.1 1 107.5 116.5 208.8 229.0 23 491 27 492

CD (FO .05 ) 0.19 0.2 1 5.4 5.6 8.9 11.3 1 103 1310

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468 KUMAR AN D AHLAWAT [I~lrfiirrio ~ m ~ a lfAgriccrlt~on1 ciences 76 (8)

was more bo th in wheat and succeeding maize crop, which

together accounted for higher total N uptake in the cropping

system. The direct application of N in maize also resulted in

marked increase in N uptake in this crop, which was

consequently reflected in total N uptake by the cropping

system.

REFERENCES

Barik A K and Goswami A. 2003. Efficacy of biofertilizer and

nitrogen levels on growth, productivity and economics of

wheat ( P i f i cum aestilrlurz). Indian Jozcrna( of Agrotronry 48:

100-02.

Ghosh S K. 2000. Organic farming for sustainable development.

World : 15-20.

Nair A K and Gupta P C. 1999. Effect of green-manuring and

nitrogen levels on nutrient uptake by rice (Oi-yza sativa) and

wheat (Triticunt aestivrml) under rice-wheat sequence. litdiatz

Jolrrtral ofAg r~ no tlr y 4: 659-63.

Parmar D K and Sharma '$1.2001. Nitrogen requirement of single

hybrid maize (Zea n~ay s)wheat (Triticzint aestivztnr) system

under rainfed conditions. hdiatl Jortnrnl o f Agricultlrt-a1

Scitwces 71:252-4.

Singh R and Agarwal S K. 2GO5. Effects of levels of farmyard

manure and nitrogen fertilization on grain yield and use

efficiency of nutrients in wheat (Trilicrrnr nestivunr). bzdiatt

Jourt~al fAgriczrltural Scieizces 75: 408-1 3.

Tiwari R C, Sharma P K and Khandelwal S K. 2004. Effect of green

manuring through Sesbatlia cailabitra and Sesbunia rostrata

and nitrogen application through urea to maize (Zea nrnys) i nmaize-wheat (Pit iczrn ~ estivztnr) cropping system. India11

Jozirttal of Agronony 49: 15-7.

Tomar V S, Tomar I S and Badaya A K. 1998. Response of chemical

and biofertilizers on some ma trict raits in wheat. Crop Research,

16: 408-1 0.

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